Beverage Dynamics Summer 2024 | Page 29

“ Vodka is about 25 % of the total spirits category volume and will likely remain around that size as we expect growth to remain about in line with total spirits growth when you exclude RTDs .”

Pau Maui vodka from Hali ' imaile Distilling Co . is made from the Maui Gold pineapple .
– Zachary Poelma , senior vice president of strategy & insights for the distributor Southern Glazer ’ s Wine & Spirits
to distill it , namely red winter wheat and corn ,” says Revechki . “ When you don ’ t filter the vodka , you ’ re able to get some of the elements of that initial product you ’ re using . So we get notes of vanilla , caramel , fig and spice .”
VODKA COCKTAILS RULE
Vodka may have been largely on the sidelines of the craft cocktail movement but many consumers gravitate to the vodka-based drinks on a menu . Vodka and Soda ( or vodka with any basic mixer ) remains a top call for many bars , while drink trends such as the Dirty Shirley and the resurgence of the Cosmopolitan give the category a boost .
Perhaps no drink has done more for vodka recently than the Espresso Martini . Some industry watchers expected to drink ’ s popularity to fade a few years ago ; instead , it ’ s stronger than ever . According to a survey conducted in January 2024 by Drive Research , 25 % of people said they like to drink Espresso Martinis , a 79 % increase from 2022 .
Félix in Charleston , SC , serves hundreds of Espresso Martinis on any given Saturday night . The drink , priced at $ 16 , uses almost exclusively locally sourced products , including Six & Twenty Cream liqueur and Hoodoo chicory liqueur .
Holy City ’ s “ Dead Eye ” espresso vodka , “ adds that nice balancing touch to the bold espresso flavors ,” says Félix ’ s beverage director Hailey Knight .
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The Félix is one of the “ Félix Classics ” cocktails ; another is the American in Paris ($ 15 ), made with Cathead vodka , Byrrh , fresh grapefruit juice and tarragon .
The Up All Night cocktail at Silver Lining Lounge in New York , a take on the Espresso Martini that can also be served as a shot , combines Ketel One vodka , simple syrup , Borghetti espresso liqueur and cold brew . Two Fifteen , a bar and lounge in New York ’ s Public hotel , offers a classic version with vodka , real espresso and vanilla bean syrup .
Two Fifteen also offers a take on another vodka drink that ’ s been making a comeback : The Pornstar Martini . The bar ’ s Pornstar Julep , with vodka , Chinola passion fruit liqueur , vanilla , fresh lemon and Champagne , is served over crushed ice in a Julep cup . Beach Terrace Restaurant at Embassy Suites by Hilton Deerfield Beach Resort & Spa in Florida , has the Passionate Star , with vanilla vodka , passion fruit juice , vanilla syrup and a splash of prosecco .
Leading Brands of Vodka ( 000 9-Liter cases )
Unlike some brands that are filtered multiple times , Zakuska vodka is not filtered at all .
LY %
Brand
Supplier
2022
2023p
Change
Tito ' s Handmade Vodka Fifth Generation 11,603 12,194 5.1 % Smirnoff Diageo North America 8,745 8,650 -1.1 % New Amsterdam Vodka Gallo 5,800 5,813 0.2 % Svedka Constellation Brands 3,784 3,690 -2.5 % Absolut Pernod Ricard USA 3,164 2,790 -11.8 % Ketel One Vodka Diageo North America 2,519 2,493 -1.0 % Grey Goose Bacardi USA 2,510 2,490 -0.8 % Platinum 7X Sazerac Company 1,999 2,039 2.0 % Burnett ' s Vodka Heaven Hill Brands 2,003 1,900 -5.1 % Deep Eddy Heaven Hill Brands 1,953 1,899 -2.8 % Top 10 Leading Brands 44,080 43,958 -0.3 % Total Domestic Vodka 55,874 55,747 -0.2 % Total Imported Vodka 23,931 22,878 -4.4 % Total Vodka 79,805 78,625 -1.5 %
( p ) Preliminary : The Industry Overview provides preliminary prior year-end data projections based on data available prior to publication . All figures are early preliminary Beverage Information Group estimates of US volume consumption and are subject to revision .
Summer 2024 • Beverage Dynamics 29